Step into the scenic Muir Woods National Monument and you will find towering redwoods, serene pathways, and the remnants of a little-known community that played an invaluable role in the evolution of LGBTQ+ rights and culture: Druid Heights. Nestled amidst nature's giants is a story of artistic fervor, radical thinkers, and pioneers of gender and sexual expression.

Here are the fascinating details of this forgotten, serene pathway:

BBC / Druid Heights is one of the most iconic representations of the LGBTQI+ community in the U.S.

A Bohemian Paradise

In the 1950s, Druid Heights, a cluster of houses on the southwest edge of Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, California, became a refuge for poets, musicians, feminists, and gay rights activists. Their shared goal was to live without judgment and challenge the conventions of their day. A place where the boundary between natural beauty and architectural wonder blurred, Druid Heights epitomized the 'live and let live' ethos.

The Pioneers

Druid Heights had an eclectic mix of residents who helped shape the counterculture of the '60s and '70s. One such resident was Elsa Gidlow, a pioneering lesbian poet. Born in England and raised in Canada, Gidlow made her way to San Francisco in the roaring twenties.

Elsa was not alone in making history. The community boasted other illustrious residents. Alan Watts, the famous British philosopher known for popularizing Eastern philosophy in the West, also called Druid Heights home. Under the shelter of the redwoods, he wrote many of his books and held discussions that bridged East and West, spirituality, and sexuality.

Elle / Back in the 190s, Druid Heights was a Bohemian paradise.

A Safe Space for LGBTQI+

In an era when LGBTQ+ communities were stigmatized and closeted, Druid Heights stood out as a sanctuary. It was a space where same-sex couples could live openly. A place where gender norms were fluid and often playfully subverted. The community's commitment to accepting every individual made it a magnet for those ostracized elsewhere.

One could argue that the environment around Druid Heights, all surrounded by nature's raw power, fed into its inhabitants' resolve to push societal boundaries. It was not just a place to live--instead, it was a place to be reborn and to redefine oneself.

 The Druid Heights' Legacy

By the late '70s and early '80s, the community's influence began to spread. Many of the ideas birthed there seeped into the broader countercultural and LGBTQ+ movements. Druid Heights became an example of what was possible when a community came together to challenge societal norms.

Getty / Some seven decades ago, Druid Heights was a safe haven for the LGBTQI+ community.

Margo St. James, a resident of Druid Heights, was a key player in this diffusion. A fierce feminist and sex worker rights advocate, she founded COYOTE (Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics.) It was an organization that pushed for the decriminalization of prostitution. Through her work, the conversations started in Druid Heights reached larger platforms, from San Francisco's city halls to international women's conferences.

By the '90s, many original residents had either passed away or moved on. The once-thriving enclave began a slow return to nature. Houses, once filled with music, laughter, and debate, gradually fell silent.

Today, a significant part of Druid Heights is managed by the National Park Service as it is located within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Efforts have been made to preserve the site and to recognize its cultural significance. Yet, much like the LGBTQ+ rights movement itself, the story of Druid Heights is both a testament to how far we have come. And a reminder of the fragility of history.